POLICIES - Judicial Code Policy

POLICIES

JUDICIAL CODE POLICY

Authority: Executive Board Date: February 22, 2003

We, the members, the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers are committed to providing an environment of trust and security in which we can operate. To that end we have established this Constitution, to which every member is bound by virtue of his/her acceptance into membership, and to which each officer is bound by oath of office.

Our Constitution provides us with a framework through which to achieve our goals.

We wish to promote solidarity in the face of our relationships with the employers of our members.

In keeping with the rights of all members, officers and trustees, it is imperative that everyone is able to exercise a voice within the Union, including the right to render opinions, to participate in dialogue concerning various issues affecting the Union and its membership. Said opinions may not coincide with generally accepted viewpoints of the majority but members should not be curtailed from expressing them unless they violate the Constitution of the Union or interfere with the rights of other members, officers or trustees.

Conversely, we believe that all members, officers and trustees have an individual obligation to adhere to the principles outlined in our Constitution, to have regard for the reputation and well-being of the Union, and to have regard for the rights of all of our members of the Union.

To that end it is of paramount importance that we eliminate problems that arise from violations or breaches of our Constitution and have potential adverse effects upon the Union, its members, officers and trustees.

In order to promote our founding Constitution provisions based on mutual respect, cooperation and understanding, we have devised an internal resolution mechanism to deal with potential violations or breaches of our Constitution. We believe that when conflicts arise that may amount to violations or breaches of our Constitution, we must approach resolution of those conflicts through our own resources, and as such, have delegated the authority for resolution to our Judicial Committee, established by the Executive in accordance with Article 7.14.

It is the intention of CUSW to promote cooperation in achieving common goals and achieving viability in the marketplace. To that end, we believe that it is the responsibility of all members, officers and trustees to protect the interests of all of us and the Union by not engaging in actions which could potentially affect our viability and our future. For example, we do not work under the rate. We do not cross our own picket lines. We do not cross the legal picket lines of other unions, sanctioned by our own organization. We do not engage in activities designed to bring the reputation of the Union into disrepute. We do not injure or cause harm to our members. We take our membership obligations seriously, provide for sanctions for violations or breaches of our Constitution, and we do so within our own organization wherever possible.